Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on the Laity (CBCP-ECL) Chairman Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the fight against the extremists are not only with the Maute group but other groups who out to spread evil.
“Yes (the people should remain vigilant). The fight is not only against (Isnilon) Hapilon and (Omar) Maute but against terrorism and violence from whatever quarter,” he said in a statement.
For his part, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of CBCP-Public Affairs Committee (PAC), noted that the people should always be alert since the death of terrorist group leaders would not stop their remnants from fulfilling their nefarious goals.
“We just need to be constantly alert though, because the deaths of these terrorists do not mean the end of terrorism in the country,” he said.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the liberation of Marawi City following of Hapilon and Maute in clashes with government forces.
The city was the battleground of the conflict between government forces and Maute group that started in May.
On Monday, the Department of National Defense has also announced the termination of all combat operations in the city.
Meanwhile, The Police Regional Office (PRO) XI has continued to call on the public’s cooperation as it remains on high alert against terror attacks.
Police have tightened security measures following the fall of the Maute terror group.
PRO XI spokesperson Chief Insp. Andrea Dela Cerna said that although the Davao Region is generally peaceful, law enforcers are not discounting the possibility of a spillover of Maute sympathizers and allies.
“Yung mga suspicious personalities, vehicles, bags and luggage na unattended, basta po tayo ay nagduda anything po na kakaiba at hindi po ordinary, kapitbahay niyo po na hindi niyo naman kilala at napapansin ninyo na meron silang ginagawa na di kanais-nasi na activity ipagbigay alam niyo agad sa amin. Napakalaking tulong po yung ganyan sa atin po (Those suspicious personalities, vehicles and unattended bags ang luggage, anything you suspect unusual and not ordinary, neighbors who you don’t even know and you noticed they do any suspicious activity, report that to us immediately. It’s a big help for us),” Dela Cerna said.
She said the cooperation of the public will help them prevent any possible terror attack in the region.
Dela Cerna said all police units are directed to secure all vital installations and places of convergence in the region and conduct stringent security measures.-PNA
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